Just like shopping in concrete stores, buying silver online may also pose some risks. However, it is not as risky as losing your wallet from pickpockets or worse, robbers losing your valuables at gunpoint. Wow! Now you may think that I'm exaggerating things too much as if there is nothing safe in this world. But let us be realistic; the truth is, buying silver online can be as risky as any other kind shopping that we do in the worldwide web. That's why when buying silver online we need to apply the same basic shopping guidelines and common sense in order to make a safe and worry-free transaction using the internet.
Buy Silver Only From Reputable Dealers
One of the best ways to help you avoid scams and frauds is to buy only from a well known dealer. Here are some helpful ways to find out if the company really does exist and how to check they background:
Find out if the company belongs to any legitimate trade associations. Normally, reputable companies would proudly tell their clients about their membership in a particular group of traders in the same industry.
Find out if the company is accredited by a consumer advocate agency like the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The Better Business Bureau has a list of businesses and their accreditations are rated from A to F ( A+ being the highest rate)
Find out about the company's reputation by using the search engine such as Google. Type the name of the company plus the word 'scam'.
Join a web forums specifically created for traders of silver. This is a better way to get personal opinions and testimonies from real people rather than depend on the testimonies posted in the company's website.
Personal Security Measures Secure Your Personal Computer -- Even when dealing with a legitimate company, you should beware of hackers who could plant a keylogger on your system. Keylogger is a hardware/software device that is designed to record activities on a computer particularly the keyboard. This way, the hackers can get information on your credit card or bank account's password so they can steal your money. You can avoid this by keeping your personal computer's security software (anti-keylogging program) updated at all times. Never use public computers or your company's computer when making transactions.
Use an appropriate online payment like Worldpay, SecureTrading, etc. to protect yourself against non-delivery. Avoid bank-to-bank cash remittance; use credit cards instead. Most credit card companies offer the right to "charge back". In case of fraud or breach of contract, the credit card company will remove the charge if proven.
Check the company's private policy, returns policy, terms and conditions thoroughly.
Make sure that you are using a secure website. Your address bar will turn green when you are in a secure site if the shop has website security known as the Extended Validation SSL Certificate.
Things to Look Out for
Physical address and telephone details. Address should be complete especially when buying outside the country.
If you can find that the company advertises in other medium like newspaper, radio and television, there's a high probability that the company is legitimate.
Watch out for special price/ limited offers and sellers that pressure their clients to buy impulsively. They may be honest with their dealings but if you think that it's too-good-to-be-true, don't hesitate to ask other people for a second opinion.
Use cautious of sellers that offer 'bargains' from unsolicited emails or spam.
Buy directly to the seller. Avoid middleman as much as possible.
Using internet in buying silver is very easy. However, you need to exercise caution as not to be victimize by fraudulent individuals.
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